Pneumatic elevator for elevating seed cotton for gins



Patented May l5, i923.

CHARLES ROBERT WOOD, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH T0', W. E. MOSS AND ONE-FOURTH TO B. C, GOODRCH, BOTH 0E lE'vftPI-IIS, TENNESSEE;

PNEUMATIC ELEVATOR FOB, ELEVATING- SEED COTTON GENS.

Application filed May 18,

-T 0 all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that l, CHARLES Bonner lloon, a citizen ot' the United States, and a resident oit Memphis, in the county ot Shelby and State ot' Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Elevators for Elevating Seed Cotton .tor Gins of a Ginning Plant, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates particularly to means whereby seed cotton as :it is delivered at the ginning plant can be handled withthe overflow cotton into the gin at suitable periods in the operation o ginning, thus making the process ot elevating the cotton when once started continuous.

A further object is to provide an elevator ot the pneumatic type that will be not only simple and durable in its construction as well as easilyv operated by unskilled operatives, and one that will not choke up with the cotton as is now common with this type of elevator, and one that will always insure the steady flow of seed cotton and the delivery to each gin of more cotton than the gin can work so as to provide for the maximum results in the operation of the gins.

To the above ends the invention consists primarily in providing' in connection with the pneumatic elevator and its delivery valve, means for ejectinp; the over-delivery of cotton from its place ot accumulation about the valve, as when the `,in chute bccomes lilled, so that the process oli elevating will be continuous and in steady How, and the invention further consists in providing pneumatic means whereby the overflow of cotton from its place of ultimate accumulation at the gin, as upon the gin floor, may be not only is the suction never cut ott in the `showing the oscillatingvalve in the position tat r1 rie..

1919.. Serial No. 296,851.

re-introduced into the elevator and delivered to the `grins at such times as maybe desirable.

Further the invention consists in the combination with the elevator, ott a valve `for receiving' and delivering the cotton to the gin chute, that is ot novel construction and oper ation, and in means for operating the valve automatically to cause it to ultimately receive and deliver the cotton.

The invention further consists in a provision whereby the valves for the receiving and delivery ot the cotton are caused to operate so as to make their discharge quickly and not synchonous with each other, so that elevatoil by reason ot this alternating` discharge, but the deliveiy ot the cotton to the valve is practically constant and the elevator is kept at maximum delivery.

The invention also consits in cert-ain other novel features in the construction and arrangement of parts, all as hereinafter described and as pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a front view ot the elevator.

Figure 2 is a view showing the elevator' in end elevation.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse cross section taken at a point over one of the gins (notshown), and showing the construction and operation ot the oscillating` valve in receivint,Y and delivering, the ligure showingthe position olf the valve when receiving.

Fig-ure -t is a view similar to Figure 3, but

assumed in discharging,

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail showing` a side view of the valve operating mechanism anda rear tace view ot the gears therefor, and also showing the means on the larger gear for co-acting; with an oscillatingv head to impart oscillating` movement to the valve.

Figure 6 is a detail showing the lower end ot the telescope provided with a hinged agitating tork and shown swung outlo operating' position.

F igure 4" is an enlarged detail showing one ot the valve padded abutments, and showingin dotted lines the wiping and rolling movement from one side to the other ot the pad according to the direction of movement ot the valve.

titi

Referring to the drawings, l designates the usual telescope common to pneumatic elevators and designed to be used over the Wagon loads ot cotton arriving at the gin plants, which telescope forms a branch of the main pipe 8 that is also extended by the branch pipe 2, Which receives cotton Afrom ar cotton storage house after the gene-ral teh-sco 3e extends doivn to the O'in floor not` shown) that usually surrounds the upper part of the gin, and is designed to operate on the over-flow cotton that accumulates on the gin licor rs a i'esult'ot' the continuousop'eiation of the apparatus provided for by this invention, that When forany reason the telescope 1 is not in operation, as when no Wagon load is in position 'tor unloading* to the gin7 the accumulated supply ot cotton onthe gin floor can be resorted te to keep the gins in operation.

' `The pipe or conduit 8 extends above a number of' gins and is provided With a discharge passage-Way 9, which enters a valve 'casing or chamber 3G that on its side opposite to the passage-Way 9 is in communication thi'ouO'h the aassafre-Wa 10 with thek C 1 h y 3 suction pipe 11 which directly forms a part of the pipe leading,` to the usual suction tan vor blower 12a.

lVithin the casing` or chamber 36 a screen 12 is provided to collect the cotton'draivn by the suction through vthe elevator conduit 8 by the pipe or conduit 11, and this screen is located4 Within a cylindrical valve or barrel 13 mounted to oscillate Within the casing-in frictional contact with the inner' edges of the passage-ways 9 and 10. This oscillating cylindrical valve is provided with a coinparatively large openinf,rv 111- in its peripheiy and substantially in trent of the screen 152, ivhich entends sli'e'litlyoblique to the opening 1.4 to bring" it across the line of suction when the opening 145 is registering; ivith the passage-Way l), as shown in Figure 3', in ivhioh vi eiv the valve is receiving cotton,y andy be substantially in line with the suction draft when oscillated through the discharging' position,"sho\vn in Figure 4i. Substantially .opposite the opening' 14 there is provided an opening' 15 extending longitudinally of the valve cylinder, as does theopeningfr 11, Which opening' 15 is designed to establish the'suction draft through the valve 13 and its lscreen 12 While in receiving posih tion, the opening*15` registering iviththe passage-Way 10, and When the valve is'oseillated to close the passage 10, to then establish communica-tion with the space Within the casing' 36 around the valve and With the outer air through the port 11,ivhic-h im inediately causes the suction to be broken within the valve so that the dischargeV of? A-As before stated, it is very common for the l delivery chutes or hoppers in a battery of grins to become tllled up so Vthat the valves cannot continue to Yfunction7 thereby inipeding' the elevation of the seed cotton. To, avoid this a. trough 17 is provided that ei;-

tends along the series of chutes 164 and re- 4 ceives the over-flow cotton throughianopening;` 1S at one side of the top ot the ychutes 16, and in order te automatically dislodge the surplus cotton betiveen the valve and the chute-receiving opening' after each discharge.

through the opening' 18 into the trough 17. a kicking board or Wing 19- is attached to the underside of the valve at such a point as to cause it to siveep Aover the top of the chute during each oscillation ot the valve tothe opening' 1S and during' each of the returning oscillations of the valve after shove the surplus cotton in itspath through the opening 18 into the trough 17, thus permittingthe valve to continue to fill and `discharge by reason of the discharging to;

removal after each Y discharge of each valve Adeposit o" cotton.

For the purpose of collecting the over-flow cotton, a c'enveyer or'belt 21 is provided that passes over pulleys mounted on shafts 20, the

belt being' provided With spikes to retain the cotton and assist in advancing the saine.

rlhis conveyer forms a bottom to theftrough 17 and delivers the over-tion7 otcotton tothe telescope 4- `vhcre it accumulates on the ein floor. The conveyor belt 2.1 is driven troni the line sha'lt 31 by a belt running ove the pullev 33 on the line shalt and the pullevt on the conveyer shaft 20.'

ln order that-the oscillatingvvalve when .in the receivingposition (Figure 3) shall casing` therebyi.vv a portion oit the casing' in thel forni et a removable board or abutment is affixed complete the closure oi the to the lower `edge 0i". one side ol the casing adjacent te the openingl 18, and extends into frictionalcontact with the valve.. .To provide tor this fieXible yielding` engagement there vprevided upon the edge of the casing'abutment 34;, as Well ason the like edges ofthe .iio

'li'ictional contact through av abutineiits forming the top, and bottom oil I the passageways pads 35, vvhich pads are preferably formed 9l and 10, valve engaging 90 in?,` Operation of the valve and force it I Cil Cit

by tacking over each. of the said engaging edges a cloth strip in loose condition and stuffing the same with cotton lint to form a soft abutting contact for the surface of the valve cylinder, so as to permit the pads to roll or move slightly with a wiping action at the beginning of each movement of the valve and in the direction in which the valve may be moving, shown in Figure 7 Y in dotted lines.

In order that the pads 35 may be accessible for removal and repair, a long panel or side portion 3S is removable from the con.- duit 8 and may be held in position by means of cleats 37, andthe panel 39 in the conduit ll be likewise removably held by cleats 40.

ln order to oscillate the valve 13, the shaft 22 upon which the valveis mounted for oscillation in the casing 36 is rigid with the valve and projects through the casing and is provided on its outer end with a channeled cross head or lever 23 to receive and be operated in one direction of oscillation by, a pin or stud 24 projecting from the inner face of a gear wheel 25 journaled on a stub shafty 26 mounted on the side of the casing 36, the pin or stud 24 being arranged near the periphery of the gear 25 and with such relation to the lower end of the channeled head 23, as to enter the channel thereof at One point of the rotation of the gear, and turn the head 23 in one direction to oscillate the valve to receiving position, the stud 24 describing` an inward and outward movement in the channel of the head and finally moving free of the head. After the head 23 has been moved into the position as shown in Figure 2, it is maintained in such position by the travel of the segmental flange 27 which comes into engagement on its inner face with the lower end of the head, and prevents movement of the head until rotation ofthe gear takes the flange past the head, during which time the valve is filling with cotton. `When the limit of the flange 27 is reached, the stud 28 encross head 23 each move in and out of the channel therein at its respective end of the cross head. As before indicated, there are a number of valves to correspond with the number of gins, each having the mechanism above described for operating the same and in which the gear wheel 25 of each is driven by a small gear 30 mounted on the line shaft 31. The valves 13 are so arranged with relation to each other as to cause their discharge to take place successively so that at no time is the suction cut 0H from the elevator conduit by more than one valve, and then only for a very brief interval.

ln order to facilitate the taking up of the cotton by the telescopes as they are moved about in the supply of cotton, there are provided forks or prongs 43, which are hinged adjacent the intake of the telescope and are adapted to be folded or swung into operative position against the end of the telescope and out of operative position on the outside thereof, the said forks having a front portion or bail la which forms a hand hold for manipulating the movable part of the telescope when the forks are protruding. By this means the seed cotton can be agitated in the act of moving the telescope over the supply of cotton and the cotton loosened up so as to be more readily drawn into the telescope by the suction.

Vlliat is claimed is l. A. pneumatic elevator for cotton gins, comprising a tube for elevating the cotton, a suction tube, means for creating a suctiontherein, a valve interposed between the elevating tube and suction tube to alternately establish and close draft communication therethrough and yreceive the cotton from the elevating tube, and suction means arranged to operate on-the overflow of cotton to subsequently re-introduce it into the elevator a delivery chute to receive the cotton discharged from the valve, and arranged t0 permit the cotton to overow and the valve to continue to discharge.

2. A pneumatic elevator for cotton gins, comprising a tube for elevating the cotton, a suction tube, means for creating a suction therein, a valve interposed between the elevating tube and suction tube to4 alternately establish and close d'raft communication therethrough and receive the cotton from the elevating tube, a delivery chute into which the valve discharges its collected cotton, means for automatically removing the surplus cotton as deposited when the chute is lilled, and suction means for subsequently re-introducing the overflow cotton into the elevator.

A pneumatic elevator for cotton gins, comprising a tube for elevating the cotton to the gin, terminating adjacent the ground in a movable receiving section, a second tube for alternate operation terminating above an elevated floor about the gin and forming a branch of the elevator, a suction tube, and means for creating a suction therein and in the elevator tube, a

valve interposed between the elevator and the suction tube for alternately receiving and discharging the elevated cotton, means for conducting the cotton to the gin, and means for automatically removing accumulated cotton from the discharge opening of the valve to the vicinity of the intake ot the said second elevating tube, whereby torpermit the continued elevation and discharge ot' cotton when a Vgin is over-supplied and thesubsequent introduction into the elevatorof the overflow cotton.

.A'pneumaticelevator for cotton gins,

i -.comprising a tube for elevating the cotton tothe gin, a second tube for alternate operation with the elevator, a suction tube, means for creating a suction therein and in the elevating tube, a valve interposed beftvveen the elevating tube and the suction tube for alternately receiving and discharging thev cotton troni the elevating tube, means movable with said valve to lpass back and forth to dislodge from the l-vicinity of the said discharge the cotton as it accumulates whereby to deposit the saine for re-introduction into the elevaton 5. A pneumatic elevator for cotton gins, comprisingv a tube for elevating` the cotton tothe gin, a second tube for alternate operation with theelevator, a suction tube, means for creating a suctiony therein and 'in the elevating tube, a valve interposed be- I tween the elevating tube and the suction vfioy tube for alternately receiving and discharging the cotton from the elevator tube, a wing extending from said valve and movable therewith to engage the cotton as it accumulates at the place of discharge ot said valve, whereby to cause the'same to aclalternately receiving and discharging the cotton from the elevator, meansr movable with 4said valve to 'pass back and forth to dislodge from thevicinity of said discharge the cotton as it accumulates thereat, and a conveyer for depositing the overflow cotton from a plurality of valves to the vicinity of the second tube for reinti'oduction to the elevator. l y

7. A pneumatic elevator for cotton gins, comprising a tube for elevating` the cotton, a suction tube, means forcreating a suction therein, a casing interposed between the ,elevating tube and suction tube, having a cotton discharge opening, said casing beingin open relation-to the said tubes, a valve for controlling the said communications, said valve having an opening adapted totalternately register with the communication opening to the elevating` tube tov receive cotton therefrom, and with i they -dis.

charge opening of the Casing, and an openings therein, flexible Contact pads at the valve abutting ing adapted to alternately `register vwith that establishing communication with the suction tube when receiving cotton. and

ranged within said valve between the re ceiving opening and the suction outlet opening, and means for oscillating the valve lto vreceive and discharge the cotton;

8. A pneumatic elevator for cotton gins,

comprisinga tube for elevating the cotton,

asuction tube, means for creating a suction therein, a valve casing connecting said ele-` vating and suction tubes, and having a discharge opening, a hollow valve mounted to oscillate within said casing, having an opening in the elevating tube and with the casing discharge opening, and an opening adapted to register with the suction port in the suction tube .when receiving, screen arranged between the said valve openings, and means for oscillating the valve to receive and discharge the cotton.

9. A pneumatic elevator tor cotton gins, comprising a tube for elevating the cotton, a suction tube, means `for creating a suction therein, a valve casing connecting said elevating and suction. tubes charge opening, said casing having extending therein from each tube a. passage-way or extension in open `relation with'the casing,a

hollow valve mounted. to osciliate between said passage-way and-to control the same and the discharge kopening of the casing, said valve having a screen mounted therein between the valve openings, and means for oscillating the valve toreceive therein and discharge therefrom the cotton` v l0. A pneumatic elevator for cotton gins, comprising a tube for elevating the cotton, a suction tube, means for creating suction therein, a. valve casing' connecting said elevating and suction tubes and having a discharge opening, a. hollow valve mounted to a separatingand' having a dis-l to register alternately with an opening oscillate within the casing, said 'tubes having extensions thereof within the casing to abut the valve and to register with valve opensaid tube extensions having et ges to prevent the passage of air vthereby when in contact with the valve, a screen'ar- 'anged between the valve openings, `and means tor oscillating the valve. l

1l. A pneumatic elevator vtor cotton gins, comprising a tube ior elevating the cotton, a suction tube, means toi' creating a suction therein, a valve casing connecting said elevating and suction tubes and having a discharge opening, a hollow valve mounted to oscillate within the casing, said tubes having extensions thereof within the casing to abut the valve and to register with' valve openflexible contact pads at the valve abutting ings.,therein vsaid tube extensionshaving edges to prevent the passage of air there by when in contact with the valve, and a padded abutment forming a part of said casing to prevent air leakage under suction when the receiving valve opening is in position to bring the extension of the elevating tube into open relation with the casing through said receiving opening, and a screen arranged between the valve openings to arrest the cotton passing therein.

12. A pneumatic elevator for cotton gins, comprising a tube for elevating the cotton, a suction tube, means for creating a suction therein, a valve casing connecting said elevating and suction tubes, and having a discharge opening, a hollow valve for controlling said discharge opening, mounted to oscillate within the casing and having an opening to register alternately with an opening in the elevating tube and the casing dis charge opening, and an opening adapted to register with the suction` port in the suction tube when the valve is receiving, a screen arranged between the saidL valve opening, and abutment pads interposed between. the said valveJ and the edges of the tube openings, and in fixed rela-tion to said edges, said pads being adapted to be bent in the. direction of the movement ot' the valve by contact therewith and under a rolling pressure. 13. A pneumatic elevator for cotton gins, comprising a tube for elevating Athe cotton, a suction tube, means for creating a suction therein, a valve casing connecting .said elevating and suction tubes, and having a discharge opening, a valve mounted t0 oscillate within said casing between said tube openings, means for oscillating the valve, comprising a cross head adapted to be operated back and forth to oscillate said valve, operating means for said head, comprising a rotor carrying a stud adapted to slidably engage said head during apart of the revolution of the rotor to swing said head in one direction, and a. stud adapted to similarly engage and operate said head from its opposite end during a part of the rotors revolution to move said head in .an opposite direction, and means for revolving,- the rotor.

14. A pneumatic elevator 'for cotton gins, comprising a tube for elevating the cotton, a suction tube, means for creating a suction therein, a valve casing connecting said elevating and suction tubes, and having a discharge opening, a valve mounted to oscillate within said casing between said tube openings, a cross head having a channel therein and adapted to be operated back and forth to oscillate said valve, operating means for said head, comprising a rotor carrying a stud adapted to enter and have relative movement within said head during a part of the revolution of the rotor to swing said head in one direction, and a stud adapted to similarly enter and operate the said head from its opposite end during a part of the rotors revolution to move said head in an opposite direction, and means for revolving the rotor.

CHARLES ROBERT WOOD.

Witnesses W. D. BRowNING, P. S. LEONARD. 

